Lubricating-axle.



' No. 804,448. PATENTBD NOV. 14, 1905. J. A. BIRDWELL.

LUBRICATING AXLE.

APPLIUATION FILED APR.27, 1905.

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Attorneys UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 14, 1905.

Application iled April 27, 1905. Serial No. 257,678.

To all whom it may concern: l

Be it known that I, JOSEPH A. BIRDWELL, a citizen of the United States,residing at Overton, in the county of Rusk and State of Texas, haveinvented a new and useful Lubricating- Axle, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to vehicle-axles, and has for its object toproduce a simply-constructed and eiiicient attachment, by means of whichthe lubricant may be forced upon the spindle without the necessity forremoving the wheel or otherwise disturbing the running-gear.

With this and other objects in view, which will appear as the nature ofthe invention is better understood, the same consists in certain novelfeatures of construction, as hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, andin which corresponding parts are denoted by like designating characters,is illustrated the preferred form of embodiment of the invention capableof carrying the same into practical operation.

In the drawings thus employed, Figure 1 is a sectional side elevation ofone of the spindles and a portion of the axle with the improved deviceapplied. Fig. 2 is a transverse' section of the axle-spindle on the line2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a sectional detail illustrating a modication inthe construction.

The spindle 10 of the axle 11 is provided with the usual longitudinallubricant duct or channel 12, which in the improved structure extendsthrough the stop-collar 13 and for a distance into the axle 11.

Extending above the axle next to the collar 13 is a member 14, having alongitudinal chamber 16 and a branch chamber 15 connecting the same withthe inner end of the extension of the duct 12, the member 14 attached tothe axle as by a clip 211.

The chamber 16 is provided with an internal plunger 17, having a stem 18extending through the end of the member 14 and terminating in a handle19.

The plunger 17 is provided with a longitudinal aperture having a valve20, and the stem 18 is supplied with a spring 21, operating to maintainthe plunger in its projected position.

Extending from the plunger 17 is an arm 22 for projecting into the duct12 and by its reciprocation preventing the clogging of the same. Afeed-aperture leads into the chamber 16 and is closed as by a plug 23,through which the lubricating material is supplied to the receptacle. Bythis simple means it is obvious that the spindle 1() may be effectuallylubricated when required by merely drawing the plunger 17 inwardly byits knob or handle 19 and then releasing it to permit the reaction ofthe spring 21 to forcibly propel the lubricating material which haspassed through the aperture, in the plunger in advance of the valve 20,through the cavity 15, and into the duct 12, the arm 22 at the same timeclearing the duct from any obstructing gummed lubricant or other foreignmatter.

The device is simple in construction, can be inexpensively manufactured,and may be applied by slight and immaterial modifications to any form orsize of axle and its spindles.

In event of the Lgumming of the lubricant within the axle a supply ofkerosene-oil, gasolene, naphtha, or other similar liquid may be pumpedinto the oil-duct 15 through the medium oi the plunger to clear thespindle from the obstruction.

The member 14: may be formed integral with the axle 11, as shown in Fig.3, ii preferred; but this would not be a departure from the principle ofthe invention, as will be obvious. Y

Having fully described the invention, what is claimed is-w 1. Thecombination with an axle-spindle having a longitudinallubricating-groove, of a lubricant-receptacle associated with the axleand communicating with the groove, a valved plunger mounted toreciprocate in the receptacle, and an arm extending into the groove andsecured to and arranged to be positively operated by the plunger.

2. The combination with an axle-spindle having a longitudinallubricating-groove, of a lubricant-receptacle associated with the axleand communicating with the groove, a valved plunger mounted toreciprocate in the receptacle, a plunger-stem extending through thewalls of the receptacle, and an arm extending into the groove andsecured to and arranged to be positively operated by the plunger.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto aifixedmy signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JOSEPH A. BIRDWELL.

Witnesses:

A. O. ALFORD, B. W. BAss.

